Sleeper Watch

After scoring 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 57 games as a rookie in 2003-04, many fantasy owners (not to mention Blue Jackets fans) had high hopes that Nikolai Zherdev would be able to build on that success and raise his game to the next level when players returned to the ice. The right wing started the new season slowly, however, with just four goals and seven assists in his first 25 games. Yet in his last three outings, Zherdev has been on fire, scoring four times, including a two-goal effort against New Jersey.

Since his selection with the fourth pick of the 2003 draft, big things have been expected of Zherdev. A superb stickhandler with good acceleration and moves that will make may a highlight reel over the course of his career, the twenty-one-year-old’s potential is frequently compared with that of Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk, high praise indeed. His game does still have its flaws – he sometimes tries to do too much by himself, and occasionally appears to be rattled after taking a hit – but with time and experience, Zherdev has the talent to develop into one of the league’s better wingmen.

Is Zherdev starting to turn the corner? His recent three-game hot streak obviously isn’t enough to be able to make that statement, but you can be certain that fantasy owners will take notice. If he is still on your waiver wire following his slow start, he might not remain there for long.

Related Cafe Articles

• Other articles by Arlo Vander
• Patrice Bergeron by Arlo Vander (posted on 12/14/2005 in Sleepers)
• Matt Carle by Adrian Bell (posted on 08/24/2006 in Sleepers)
• Youngsters On The Rise by Steve Pulaski (posted on 10/02/2005 in Articles)